Astronomer Who Inspired ‘Contact’ Explains The Search For Extraterrestrial Life

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the film Contact, directed by Chicago native Robert Zemeckis and starring Jodie Foster. Foster’s character in the movie is based on real-life astronomer Jill Tarter, who has spent much of her career searching for signs that humanity is not alone in the universe. Morning Shift talks with Tarter about the film, her work, and the reasons she believes scientific research is so important.